Treatment of topical fungus infections with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane



United States Patent 3,389,049 TREATPYZENT 0h TOPIQAL FUNGUS INFEQ- TIDNS WETH DTCHLGRODIPHENYLTRI- CHLORUETHANE Harold E. Frantz, 2104 Greenhill Road, Lansdowne, Pa. 19050 No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Scr. No. 350,548, Mar. 9, 1964. This application Apr. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 634,102

7 Claims. (Cl. 167-58) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a therapeutic composition for the treatment of human fungus infections. The composition contains dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) as its main active therapeutic ingredient. It also contains compound tincture of benzoin and utilizes a low molecular weight alcohol as the carrier solvent.

This application is a continuationin-part of application Ser. No. 350,548, filed Mar. 9, 1964, now abandoned, by Harold E. Frantz.

This invention relates to the treatment of fungus infections of the human skin, such as that commonly referred to as Athletes Foot. Specifically, the invention is directed to a novel therapeutic composition comprising dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and to a novel method for the treatment of fungus infections of the skin employing such compositions.

Various compositions have heretofore been proposed for the treatment of fungus infections of the skin such as Athletes Foot. For example, a composition comprising tincture of benzoin, caprylic acid and isopropyl alcohol was proposed for the treatment of fungal infections of the human skin. However, none of these has proven entirely satisfactory. In most instances, the results obtained have not justified continuation of the treatment and, in some instances, the nature of the treatment method or agent employed has caused severe discomfort, irritation and dissatisfaction.

In view of the foregoing, a principal object of this invention is to provide new and improved therapeutic compositions useful in the treatment of fungus infections of the human skin, and particularly useful in the treatment of the infection commonly known as Athletes Foot. Another object is to provide a novel method for the treatment of such infections, employing the compositions of the invention. These and other objects and benefits of the invention will become more readily apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the invention.

In accordance with the invention, fungus diseases of the skin such as Athletes Foot are substantially suppressed or completely eliminated by the topical or local application in a prescribed manner of new and improved therapeutic compositions containing a therapeutic agent of newly-discovered efiicacy. The novel therapeutic compositions of this invention comprise, as the active therapeutic agent, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) or a suitably related compound. This novel therapeutic agent is preferably employed in dilute solution in an aqueous lower alkanol, the alkanol serving as a carrier or solvent medium having antiseptic eflicacy. Preferably, the therapeutic compositions of this invention also contain a small amount of compound tincture of benzoin which serves as an adhesive to adhere the active therapeutic agent to the infection during and after evaporation of the alkanol carrier. Other compounds suitable for serving the latter function can also be used.

The preferred therapeutic agent for use in the novel 3,389,049 Patented .lune 18, 1968 compositions of this invention is dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, i.e., 1,1-di(p chlorophenyl) 2,2,2 trichloroethane which is commonly known as DDT. Surprisingly, it has been found that position isomers of this compound, and other closely-related compounds, are not suitable for practicing the present invention. However, it has been found that one or more or all of the chlorine atoms present in dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane can be substituted with a different halogen atom, vi.z., with bromine, fluorine or iodine, without appreciably diminishing the effectiveness of the therapeutic agent. It has also been found that a degree of purity termed technical for the therapeutic agent is satisfactory, and that a higher degree of purity such as that termed chemically pure (C.P.) is unnecessary. In accordance with the practice of this invention, the therapeutic agent is present in the therapeutic compositions in only a very small amount. Generally, concentrations of the therapeutic agent in. the therapeutic composition within the range of from about 0.1 to about 4.0 weight percent are satisfactory and give good results. However, concentrations of the therapeutic agent in the therapeutic composition within the range of from about 1.0 to about 3.0 weight percent give better results and are preferred.

The so-called carrier or solvent medium employed in the therapeutic compositions of this invention is an aqueous lower alkanol, i.e., an aqueous solution of a lowermolecular-weight, saturated, aliphatic alcohol. Alkanols suitable for use in the present invention are those having not more than three carbon atoms per molecule. Thus, suitable alkanols include methanol, ethanol, l-propanol and 2-propanol. The use of 2-propanol, or isopropanol, is distinctly preferred. Generally, suitable concentrations of the alkanol in the solution of the alkanol and water fall within the range of from about 70' to percent by weight. When Z-propanol is employed, a concentration of approximately 95 weight percent is preferred. Generally, the therapeutic agent will be soluble in the aqueous alkanol carrier in the concentrations contemplated for the practice of this invention.

As stated above, it is preferred to also employ an adhesive component in the therapeutic compositions of this invention, for the purpose of adhering the therapeutic agent to the affected areas of the skin during and after evaporation of the alkanol carrier. Any inert, non-volatile, non-toxic substance having suitable adhesive properties can be employed. In the practice of this invention it is preferred to employ compound tincture of benzoin as the adhesive component. Generally, concentrations of from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of compound tincture of benzoin in the therapeutic composition of this invention are suitable and give satisfactory results. However, concentrations of from about 1.0 to about 3.0 weight percent of compound tincture of benzoin give better results and are distinctly preferred.

The therapeutic compositions of this invention can also contain other functional ingredients, so long as the presence of such other ingredients does not interfere with the desired activity of the therapeutic agent. Thus, for example, it is permissible to incorporate a perfume in the composition of this invention. Oil of Rose, or Rose Oil of Patchouly, are suitable in this capacity. Similarly, a dye such as a mixture of phenolphthalein and sodium hydroxide can also be employed where desirable.

The therapeutic compositions of this invention can be kept in ordinary, clear glass bottles without any s gnificant deterioration in activity of the contents. However, as a precaution it is preferred to store these compositions in amber bottles. Squeeze bottles made of polyethylene, polypropylene or other polyolefins can be used for storage and for applying the therapeutic compositions to the affected areas of the skin.

The novel method of the present invention comprises intermittently applying a small but sufficient amount of the therapeutic composition to the atfected areas of the skin, and maintaining such composition in contact with the skin for a period of time sutiicient to accomplish a substantial improvement in the condition of the fungus infection. Generally, daily topical applications of the therapeutic composition are most convenient and are suitable. The treated areas of the skin should be dry prior to application of the therapeutic composition, and the composition should be applied in an amount sufficient only to cover the affected areas. After application, the area need not be bandaged or covered, but such may be desirable in order to keep out dust and dirt. It has been found that marked improvement can be demonstrated in as little as two days for the average case, although treatment for a period of approximately one week or more may be neccssary in the case of advanced infections.

A distinctly preferred therapeutic composition of this invention, comprises approximately 3.0 percent by weight g of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), approx mately 2.0 percent by weight of compound tincture of benzoin, and approximately 95.0 percent by weight of an aqueous solution of Z-propanol containing 95.0 percent by weight of 2-propanol.

The following examples further illustrate this invention:

Example I A composition comprising 3.0 percent by weight of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 2.0 percent by weight of compound tincture of benzoin and 95.0 percent by weight of an aqueous solution of 2-propanol containing 95.0 percent by weight of Z-propanol was prepared. The composition was topically applied, as above de" scribed, to a group of sixty people suffering from the fungus disease commonly known as Athletes Foot." One-half of this group exhibited the disease in a very advanced stage. Applications of the above compositions were made at daily intervals and in all cases the method of treatment was substantially identical. The following results were obtained:

The foregoing results demonstrate that the novel therapeutic compositions and method of treatment employing them, are markedly eifective for the suppression or elimination of fungus diseases such as Athletes Foot.

Example II A composition substantially identical to that used in Example I was prepared with the exception that no dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane was contained therein. This composition was topically applied as described above to a group of twelve people suffering from the fungus disease commonly known as Athletes Foot. The people in the group exhibited the disease in various stages ranging from extremely minor to exceedingly advanced. Substantially no improvement was experienced by any person in the group even after continued da ly application for extended periods of time, i.e., in excess of one month.

This example clearly demonstrates that if dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane is not contained in the subject composition substantially no reduction or alleviation of Athletes Foot is realized.

4 Example III A composition substantially identical to that used in Example I was prepared with the exception that no compound tincture of benzoin was contained therein. This composition was applied as described above to a group of twelve people suffering from Athletes Foot. The majority of the people exhibited the disease in an advanced stage. In all cases the suppression or elimination of the fungus was accomplished in ten days to two weeks.

This example clearly shows that dichlorodiphenyltr chloroet'nane is an active fungicide for the reduction and elimination of Athletes Foot.

I claim:

1. A method for the treatment of fungus infections of the human skin which comprises intermittently applying affected area a small but sufiicient amount of a -atic composition consisting essentially of: a 70 to 95 weight percent solution in water of an alkanol having not more than three carbon atoms per molecule; from about 0.1 to about 4.0 weight percent of dichlo=rodiphenyltrichloroethane; and from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of compound tincture of benzoin.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said alkanol is 2-propanol.

3. A method for the treatment of fungus infections of the human skin which comprises intermittently applying to the affected area a small but suflicient amount of a therapeutic composition consisting essentially of: a 70 to 95 weight percent solution in water of an alkanol having not more than three carbon atoms per molecule; from about 1.0 to about 3.0 weight percent of dichlorodiphenyltrichioroethane; and from about 1.0 to about 3.0 weight percent of compound tincture of benzoin.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said alkanol is 2-propanol.

5. A method for the treatment of fungus infections of be human skin which comprises intermittently applying to the affected area a small but sufiicient amount of a therapeutic composition consisting essentially of: a 70 to 95 weight percent solution in water of an alkanol having not more than three carbon atoms per molecule; approximately 3.0 weight percent of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; and approximately 2.0 weight percent of compound tincture of benzoin.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said alkanol is 2-propanol.

i. A method according to claim 6 wherein said solution in water contains 95 weight percent of 2-propanol.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,987 12/1951 Wyman 167--58 FOREIGN PATENTS 802,111 10/1958 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES Biological Abstracts (I), vol. 23, entry 16087, 1949.

Biological Abstracts (II), vol. 25, entry 34004, 1951.

Corey, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, vol. 56, No.1, p. 200, May 1955.

Chemical Abstracts (I), vol. 39, entry 23736, 1945.

Chemical Abstracts (II), vol. 42, entry 715e, 1948.

Chemical Abstracts (III), vol. 44, entry 7480i-7481a, 1950.

Hall, J. Economic Entomology, vol. 52, pp. 28-29, February 1959.

RICHARD L. HUFF, Primary Examiner. 

